FAQ About Window Tinting 
Isn't Window Film Expensive?
The average installation costs less than most other window treatments. Actually, your investment in window film will return dividends in the form of reduced air conditioning and heating costs, and protection against costly fading.
Will Window Tinting Stop The Sun From Fading Fabrics?
There are six factors affecting fabric fading:
- Ultraviolet Light
- Visible Light
- Heat and Humidity
- Chemical Vapors (including ozone)
- Age of Fabric
- Dye Fastness
Clear single pane glass (1/8" to 1/4") will reject 23-28% of the ultraviolet light from the sun. Insulated glass is slightly better, rejecting 36-41%. Our window films installed on glass reject at least 99% of solar ultraviolet light. Different types of clear glass and window systems will reject 13- 29% of the solar heat. With window films, 80% of solar heat can be rejected. No window film can completely eliminate fading. It can, however, offer maximum protection from fading due to solar ultraviolet light and solar heat.
How Long Will My New Window Film Last?
The effective life of window film will vary by the type of film, type of glass, window construction, compass orientation of glass, and in which part of the world the building is located. There are documented cases of film lasting 20 to 25 years or more in some instances. All quality window films for residential and commercial use are warranted by the film manufacturers for a minimum of five years. Most commercial installations have a ten to fifteen year warranty. Most residential applications have a lifetime warranty. The warranty includes an address to contact the manufacturer directly should any questions arise either before or after the installation of the window film.
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Are There Any Special Cleaning Instructions?
Windows with film applied are easily cleaned without damage to their appearance as long as a few common sense guidelines are followed:
- Use a soft clean cloth, soft paper towel or clean synthetic sponge.
- Use a soft cloth or squeegee for drying the window.
- Use any normal glass cleaning solution which contains no abrasive materials.
The availability of scratch resistant coatings as a standard feature of quality films has virtually eliminated the need for extra special precautions in cleaning.
Will Window Film Kill My House Plants?
In most cases, if a house plant is already receiving adequate light, the use of window film will not harm it. New growth or flowering may be retarded, and for a few days, a plant may go into a state of shock while it adjusts to the light change. If a particular plant normally wilts by the end of a sunny day, it will actually thrive better with film installed. Although there are some obvious guidelines in determining what, if any, effect window film will have on a plant, there is one sample test which can be done prior to film installation: merely move the plant to an area with less sunlight for a few days. In addition, most nurseries or local agriculture agencies can advise you whether a particular plant needs maximum or minimum light.
Will Window Films Cause Glass To Break?
Glass breaks when stressed. There are five types of stress which may cause glass breakage:
- Thermal Stress - from absorption of solar radiation.
- Tensile Stress - from the weight of the glass itself.
- Mechanical Flexing Stress - from wind.
- Impact Stress - from flying objects (hail, baseballs, etc.)
- Twisting Stress - from building or window frame sagging or settling.
The first type, thermal stress, is the only one which film may affect. The use of window films will increase the thermal stress on sunlit glass. However, there are also other factors which will increase thermal stress such as: partial shading of windows from overhangs, tightly fitting drapes or blinds, signs or decals on windows or heating and cooling vents directed at glass. In addition, different types of glass have different solar absorption rates and will withstand different degrees of thermal stress. The window film manufacturers have recommended film-to-glass tables for use by factory-trained dealer installers. If a consumer is ever in doubt, you should request a copy of such guidelines. Listed are some of the glass types or conditions where the use of a solar control type of window film is not recommended without extreme caution.